Cheaper alternative to Wen?

Kore! · March 2012

A few weeks ago, I was given a large bottle of Wen. Unfortunately (ha), I've fallen in love. My scalp, especially, is better than ever.

As frivolous as I am with most things beauty-related, it pains me to think about spending $40/mo for this stuff. My hair is long, so I've gone through the big bottle fairly quickly, washing every other day.

Has anybody found a cheaper alternative, or should I just suck it up?

Bimbi284 · March 2012

I think Sally Beauty has a cheaper alternative. I believe the brand is Hair One.

bearkatjen · March 2012

Wen is co-washing (washing your hair with a conditioner), so you might want to research the Curly Girl Method not only for conditioners people prefer to use for cleansing (VO5 is a cheapy that works well), but low-sulfate and sulfate free shampoos that offer a little more cleansing than a conditioner, homemade remedies, solutions to product buildup, and products that don't contain problematic ingredients for co-washers, like silicone.

This is a good starting place: http://www.naturallycurly.com/topics/view/co-washing

CarrotsMakeMeFat · March 2012

I agree about lookng into the CG method, even if you have straight hair. I love DEVA shampoo and conditioner, and use just the one conditioner most of the week as co wash- I use my ULTA coupons a lot Giovanni is another cheaper product line, found at ULTA and Target.

I have never used hair one, but the reviews are hit or miss...you can find it Sallys

Yea To Carrots is also a good co wash, but the shampoo has sulfates so I never used it

JoEsther · March 2012

If you're cleansing with Wen every other day, you're not using it correctly. It's meant to be used at most twice a week - I've been using it for a long time now (have long, thick, color-treated hair) and I use it at most 5-6 times a month. For me, a huge bottle lasts close to three months.

GildedIcon · March 2012

I have to agree with JoEsther. I also have thick, ridiculously thick, long hair and a 32 oz bottle lasts months. To save $$$ I buy the gallon size. But you should not be washing your hair that much with WEN.

LucyHoneychrrch · March 2012

I use it every two days or so. If you've been using it for a long time, your scalp and hair starts to balance itself out, so you need to use it less. I could probably get away with washing less, but the idea makes me nauseous.

For reference, my hair is long, medium thickness, fine texture.

I've heard good things about the Sally knockoff.

Kore! · March 2012

How do y'all think I'm using it incorrectly? I use ~18-20 pumps, though most of those are half pumps. My hair is very long. I'm careful to rinse everything out.

I live in Louisiana. It's humid here. I could squeeze a third day between washings in, but I'd need a lot of dry shampoo, & I'd feel self conscious all day.

If you only use it 5-6x per month, what are you doing the rest of the month?

JoEsther · March 2012

Kore!:
How do y'all think I'm using it incorrectly? I use ~18-20 pumps, though most of those are half pumps. My hair is very long. I'm careful to rinse everything out.
I live in Louisiana. It's humid here. I could squeeze a third day between washings in, but I'd need a lot of dry shampoo, & I'd feel self conscious all day.
If you only use it 5-6x per month, what are you doing the rest of the month?

I never need 18-20 pumps. I just use enough to coat my wet (soaked) hair, comb it through and put it up in a clip while I do the rest of my shower. I then massage it through again, making sure to get into my scalp, and rinse it out first with warm water, then with cold. And rinsing is important - Wen can be hard to rinse out, and stay on your hair, creating an "oily" feel before it's really warranted. The rest of the month, I'll either just rinse my hair (after the gym, for example) or just put it up while I'm showering. It's never been in better shape.

I get that the humidity might be an issue, but I don't see it making it necessary to cleanse every other day. I didn't do that when I was using shampoo!! But hey, Wen might not be a good fit for everyone.

Kore! · March 2012

Thanks for clarifying! I'll try using less. Stupid instructions on the bottle make it sound like you need to be saturating your hair each time you use it.

JoEsther · March 2012

Kore!:
Thanks for clarifying! I'll try using less. Stupid instructions on the bottle make it sound like you need to be saturating your hair each time you use it.

I'd say use enough to make it thick on your hair, but it doesn't need to be dripping off or totally saturated. Try using less - say, ten pumps at first - after your hair is totally wet, and see if it covers it all. If no, add a couple more pumps till it's all covered. And make sure you leave it on for at least ten minutes, and massage it through well before rinsing. Those are the best tips I have. GL!!

GildedIcon · March 2012

Also, be sure to add water to create a "lather". No it does not get big and foamy, like reg. shampoo but it does lather, massage this from scalp to ends. Too many of my friends were using the wrong water to WEN ratio. This will help cleanse your hair more throughly. Good luck.

CurlyGirlyGirl · March 2012

It definitely saves a lot of money in the long run if you purchase the gallon sized containers. I also comb it through my hair after lathering it on. My hair is fairly long and I still use quite a bit - usually around 15 pumps. I use it at least 3 times each week.

adozenroses · March 2012

Try Trader Joes Noursh Spa Conditioner. It's $3!

Cheaper alternative to Wen?

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